From Storage to Spotlight: The Remarkable Journey of Old Forester’s Anniversary Bourbon

Celebrate with us as we share some exciting news from one of our client’s esteemed members! Old Forester, owned by Brown-Forman and a proud member of the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States AKA CHEERS!  (a valued client of Branding & Buzzing), has unveiled a limited edition of 150 decanters featuring a 12.5-year-old Bourbon. This exclusive release was crafted to commemorate Old Forester’s 2020 anniversary, and the entire stock was snatched up in an astonishing 14 minutes after it went on sale on November 16.

Originally intended for special tastings and events during the anniversary year, these decanters were filled in 2020 but remained in storage as the pandemic led to the cancellation of planned gatherings. Now, these exceptional bottles are finally available to the public, sold exclusively on the brand’s website at a price of US$2,500 each.

Master Distiller Chris Morris carefully selected six barrels in 2008, and the whisky was bottled at 50% alcohol by volume (ABV) after maturing for 150 months until 2020. In addition to the 150 bottles made available for purchase, 500 were distributed to members of the Brown family and the company’s key partners.

Meliss Rift, Old Forester’s master taster, expressed the significance of this release, stating, “Old Forester is the only Bourbon to exist before, during, and after Prohibition. What better way to celebrate that legacy than offering to the public this rare decanter?”

Each decanter is presented in a meticulously crafted handmade wooden box, constructed from wood salvaged from the fire at the Old Forester Distillery in 2015. This fire posed a significant threat to the Whiskey Row block in Louisville, Kentucky, and the reclaimed wood adds a unique touch to the presentation, further enhancing the collector’s value of this extraordinary release.

Sorry Canada. None for us!